Manila Travel Guide

What it is: The capital and second-largest city of the Philippines, a sprawling megacity where Spanish colonial history, modern skyscrapers, and chaotic streets collide.

Affordability: Affordable, with budget-friendly street food, mid-range hotels, and high-end shopping malls.

Safety: Generally safe in tourist areas, but scams, pickpocketing, and traffic congestion are concerns.

Popularity: Often a gateway to the Philippines, but overlooked by travelers heading to the islands.

Tourist Infrastructure: Well-developed in key areas, with hotels, malls, and transport options, but traffic can be frustrating.

Accommodation Options: Budget hostels, mid-range boutique hotels, and luxury high-rises, mostly in Makati and Bonifacio Global City.

Dining Scene: A mix of street food, traditional Filipino eateries, and international cuisine, with a growing café culture.

Nightlife: Lively, with bars, clubs, and music venues in Makati, Poblacion, and Bonifacio Global City.

Weather: Hot and humid year-round, with a rainy season from June to November and typhoon risks.

Best Time to Go: December to April, when it’s dry and cooler.

Known For: Intramuros, Spanish colonial history, street food, mega-malls, jeepneys, nightlife, sunsets over Manila Bay, bustling markets.

Top Attractions: Intramuros • Rizal Park • Fort Santiago • San Agustin Church • Manila Baywalk • Divisoria Market • Binondo (Chinatown) • National Museum Complex.

Introduction#

Despite an unpleasant blend of heavy pollution, the densest population in the world, and a frenzied pace of life, Manila experiences a flourishing tourist industry that draws over one million visitors from throughout the globe every year. The city boasts a wide spectacle of attractions ranging from historic buildings and appealing museums to entertainment facilities, gardens and parks.

A favorite tourist spot is Intramuros, the Walled City, which was built by the Spaniards during the 16th century, the walls defining the original borders of the city of Manila. Several historic structures are sited here, above all Fort Santiago, a fortress which protected the mouth of the River Pasig.

Dating from 1607, San Agustin Church is the oldest church in the Philippines and was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1993. Also standing inside Intramuros, Manila Cathedral is regarded as the mother of all Philippine churches.

Another attraction worth visiting is the superb Malacanang Palace, which nowadays serves as the Philippine president’s official residence. This impressive complex is notable for its marvelous architecture and is composed of diverse sections, including Bonifacio Hall that used to be the office of Corazon Aquino, Kalayaan Hall constructed under American administration, and Mabini Hall, the administration hall.

Housed inside the Kaisa Heritage Center, Bahay Sinoy is an attention-grabbing museum which exhibits compilations connected with Chinese-Filipino culture, such as pictures illustrating the life of Chinese immigrants, as well as numerous artifacts, including pottery, kitchen utensils and coins.

Perhaps one of a kind in the world, Paco Park used to be a cemetery and is composed of two circular structures having dissimilar levels of recesses, making this a most astoundingly designed place. Other pulls not to be missed in Manila are the Zoological Garden that houses some rare Philippine and African wildlife and Meban Garden, the city’s very first botanical garden.

Carfel Seashell Museum has several uncommon seashells on display while Liwasang Bonifacio, a lovely park built to commemorate Andres Bonifacio, a Philippine hero, is also a worthwhile stop. Kanlungan ng Sining features an exclusive diversity of sculptures, photographs and paintings and the remarkable Ayala Bridge which links San Miguel to Arroceros as well as Chinatown in Binondo, home to the biggest Chinese community in the Philippines, are other sights.

Upmarket visitors and residents alike enjoy the established city of Makati, where restaurants, cafés and lively bars are lined up side by side along Nakpil Street. This area is famous for its street parties and draws the very young and trendy with distinctive amusement in a stimulating atmosphere. From the exotic Filipino dish to the stylish presentation of French cuisine, Makati has a lot to offer its appropriately outfitted guests.

Manila has gained a reputation as the country’s hub for arts and entertainment offering its visitors a great variety of vivacious bars, discos and nightclubs to choose from, above all in Malate and Ermita. Since the Filipinos are biologically inclined to music, a great number of prominent local artists have become famous entertainers worldwide. Hotels in Manila present their own venues for performances by popular musicians that magnetize concertgoers in droves, particularly at weekends.

Things to Do

Manila Attractions

Intramuros

The walled city was built by the spanish and contains several highly significant historic structures.

Manila Cathedral

The most important church in the philippines is also the highlight of the intramuros.

Malacanang Palace

The president’s residence captivates with awe-inspiring architecture.

Bahay Sinoy

Also known as chinese house, this appealing museum is related to the chinese-filipino culture.

Chinatown

Houses the country’s largest chinese community and stacks of tasty restaurants.

Rizal Park

Locally referred to as luneta, this is where you will find the city’s top museums and other modern attractions.

Manila Hotel

One for the nostalgic, this luxurious colonial hotel is a throwback to the american era.

The steamy, bustling capital city of Manila is one of the largest cities in tropical Southeast Asia, and the standard starting point for excursions around the Philippines. Its friendly locals, hyperactive nightlife, historical sites and proximity to everything else in the country make it an affordable and popular tourism destination.

The Philippines are a large collection of islands, with Manila centrally positioned on Luzon Island along the eastern coast of the South China Sea. Manila Bay forms the eastern boundary of this sprawling, hectic metropolis, while the walled district of Intramuros provides the Spanish colonial core. Smaller districts such as Quiapo and Binondo begin the outward spread, and help give Manila its colorful and lively character.

Farther out lie the modern suburbs of Malate and Makati among others, which are like small cities in themselves. These outlying districts are packed with nightlife, shopping and dining spots. You’ll find the best historical atmosphere in the old colonial enclave of Intramuros, but for a taste of Manila’s legendary after-dark entertainment, head for Greenbelt.

Highlights

Ayala Center: two of the largest upscale shopping malls in Manila where endless entertainment and eating venues are all interconnected by elevated walkways in the heart of Makati City.

Binondo (Chinatown): one of Manila’s most fascinating districts is where you’ll find the famous 17th century Binondo Church, the engaging Quiapo neighborhood and some of the most authentic ambiance in the city.****

Intramuros: this walled city in the heart of Manila, built by the Spanish in 1571, is Asia’s only colonial-style fort. This historical highlight is packed with plazas, churches, museums, small shops and loads of atmosphere.

Malacanang Palace: to see just how decadent the ruling Marcos family was during their peak of power, check out their ostentatious palace which is now a museum to past presidents of the Philippines.

Manila Bay: the best sunset spot in the city is at this vast bay, which was the site of numerous naval battles for control of the country.

Rizal Park: near Manila Bay is the city’s central park, covered in walking paths and Asian gardens, and hosting the Planetarium and more Filipino memorials than you can shake a stick at.

Getting There#

Manila is accessible via its Ninoy Aquino International Airport and Domestic Airport located a 30-minute drive south of the city. Most of the bus terminals are placed in Manila, while numerous jeepneys, tricycles and pedicabs are used for transportation as well. Philippine National Railways has its train hub in Tutuban north of the city and services the southern provinces of Luzon.